"As technology increases the number of people who decide to self-publish, I am not surprised by the increase in exhibitors at the festival," noted CityLit Project executive director Gregg Wilhelm. "CityLit Festival offers many of them the foremost opportunity to meet readers and generate some buzz for their books."

The combination of emerging voices, intriguing panels, and nationally known authors makes for the region's most dynamic day for readers and writers.

More than 75 individual exhibitors packed Pratt Library's Central Hall for the busiest Literary Marketplace in the festival's eight-year history.

CityLit Project executive director Gregg Wilhelm welcomed E. Ethelbert Miller to the festival. Ethelbert read as part of a poetry program that featured Vincent Cellucci, Gerry Lafemina, and Michael Salcman (at podium).

"Women and Words" featured novelists Jessica Anya Blau, Elissa Weissman, Amy Stolls, and host Shannon Morgan of Maryland Life. "Men and Memoir" featured nonfiction writers James Patterson and Chic Dambach with host Dave Rosenthal of The Sun (center).

The team from Barnes & Noble Power Plant once again performed brilliantly in obtaining all books for festival authors and handling sales throughout the day. Felicia Pride (at podium) moderated a panel on publishing in the digital age.

First-time author Peachy Dixon discussed her memoir with journalist Michael Olesker. Andrei Codrescu, one of the festival's headliners, signs a book for a fan.